Voters line up at Lancashire polling stations

Voters have been queuing up at Lancashire polling stations as election day draws to a close.

Voting for the general election and district council elections finishes at 10pm on Thursday, and voters took to Twitter to photograph the queues forming as the deadline loomed, including in Penwortham and Buckshaw Village.

As the campaign entered its final hours, party leaders sought to put their message before voters one final time.

David Cameron dismissed the idea he could have done more to win the election, insisting he had engaged with “real people” and delivered a “positive message”.

He said the Tories had focused on the “things that matter” - the economy and leadership - and made “big bold” policy offers, adding that in contrast, Ed Miliband’s efforts had been “desperately staid” and “antiseptic”.

Meanwhile, the Labour leader warned voters they risk turning five years of Conservative rule into a decade-long reign that favours the privileged if they fail to turn out for Labour.

Issuing a final rallying call, the opposition leader said there are just “hours left to change the direction of our country”.

Nick Clegg delivered his final pitch in John O’Groats at the end of a 1,000-mile, 48-hour battlebus odyssey that began in Lands End, saying the UK public face “the biggest political decision of their lives.”

The Liberal Democrat leader said his party could provide stability, but warned that Labour and the Conservatives were in danger of “sleepwalking” to a “messy” minority government.

And Ukip leader Nigel Farage said support for his party was “rock solid” and predicted it would outperform the opinion polls.

Speaking at a rally in Broadstairs, Kent, Mr Farage - who has said he will quit as Ukip leader if he fails to be elected as MP for South Thanet - said election day was “the biggest day in my political career”.

Natalie Bennett sheltered under a Green Party themed rickshaw with Bristol West candidate Darren Hall during a visit to the city.

Rain was pouring down during the rally, on Clifton Triangle, with campaigners holding onto leaflets and signs to prevent them from being blown away.

“This is the most uncertain election since at least the Second World War,” Ms Bennett said. “We are saying to people: vote for what you believe in.”

Ms Bennett said the Green Party attracted about one in 100 votes in 2010 but could receive one in 20, “maybe more”, in this election.